Members of the monocot subfamily Amaryllidoideae present a unique type of alkaloids, the norbelladine alkaloids, which are 4-methylcatechol derivatives combined with tyrosine. They are responsible for the poisonous properties of a number of the species. Over 200 different chemical structures of these compounds are known, of which 79 or more are known from Narcissus alone.[2]
Calone, a derivative of 4-methylcatechol, is known in the fragrance industry as "watermelon ketone" for its distinctive odor.[3]
The brand of low-temperature coke used as a smokeless fuel Coalite obtains homocatechol from ammoniacal liquor by solvent extraction, distillation and crystallisation.[citation needed]
Being structurally related to lignans, it is contributes to the aerosol generate by combustion of wood.[4]
^Martin, S.F. 1987. The Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids. In.: Arnold Brossi (ed.) The Alkaloids, Chapter 3. Academic Press.
^Panten J, Surburg H (2016). "Flavors and Fragrances, 3. Aromatic and Heterocyclic Compounds". Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. pp. 1–45. doi:10.1002/14356007.t11_t02. ISBN978-3-527-30673-2.
^Rogge WF, Hildemann LM, Mazurek MA, Cass GR, Simoneit, BRT (1998). "Sources of Fine Organic Aerosol. 9. Pine, Oak, and Synthetic Log Combustion in Residential Fireplaces". Environmental Science & Technology. 32 (1): 13–22. Bibcode:1998EnST...32...13R. doi:10.1021/es960930b.
^Pheromonal activity of single castoreum constituents in beaver,Castor canadensis., Müller-Schwarze, D and Houlihan, P.W., Journal of Chemical Ecology, April 1991, Volume 17, Number 4, Springer Netherlands, doi:10.1007/BF00994195
